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Get the Android 5.0 Lollipop update on the Galaxy S3

Scott Adam Gordon2014-11-10T14:50:39Z4 months ago

Scott Adam Gordon
Originally from the UK, Scott graduated in Popular Music Studies at Newcastle University and attributes most of his success there to his beloved Samsung Galaxy S2. He has written for a market research company and video game website, but now only wishes to voice his opinion on the greatest open source project of all time! That's Android. Scott has never owned an Apple device, of any kind, and doesn't see this changing anytime soon.

Everybody wants to know when their device is going to get the Android 5.0 Lollipop update, and one device in particular is being mentioned above all others. We are receiving constant emails, questions and comments on whether the Galaxy S3 is going to receive the latest version of Google's OS. With Android 4.4.4. KitKat being possible on the Galaxy S3, Android 5.0 Lollipop may not be out of the question. Update: Well it seems it wasn't out of the question, and now there is a version of Lollipop available for the popular Galaxy S3 (GT-I9300). Read on for all the details and our tutorial.

The truth is, we don't know if the S3 will officially receive Lollipop, but it seems really unlikely. With Android 4.4.4 not even available on the Galaxy S3 (other than on the Galaxy S3 LTE variant), it seems silly to consider that 5.0 would happen in the future. Even if you're expecting the Galaxy S3 update on Sprint, Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile, you'll probably end up being disappointed. However, as long as there are smart independent developers, there is hope.

Recently, some clever person over at the XDA forum ported 4.4.4 KitKat to the regular Galaxy S3 (I9300) variation. Because of this, it's plausible that a custom made version of Lollipop may become available at some point in the future, despite it not being officially sanctioned by Samsung.

It's also worth pointing out that Android Lollipop 5.0 is going to run on Google's budget Android One device, which carries the same amount of RAM as Samsung's 2012 flagship. This, coupled with the fact that 4.4.4 is possible on the S3 despite Samsung's claims, certainly gives some credibility to the idea that the S3 could skip 4.4.4 and shoot straight for Lollipop.

Update: Over at the XDA developer forum, regular contributor and Android whizzkid arter97 has developed a working version of an Android Lollipop build for rooted Galaxy S3 (GT-I9300) owners. It's a work in progress, with many functions not working yet, and arter97 states "the current release just showcases that our Galaxy S3 is not dead and will likely to receive proper AOSP Lollipop ROMs soon."

And if you are still yet to upgrade to Android 4.4.4 KitKat on your Galaxy S3, follow our guide below.

It's not just the lucky Galaxy S3 LTE owners who are able to get a piece of the Android 4.4.4 KitKat action. Thanks to some smart developers over at XDA, now even regular Galaxy S3s with only 1 GB of RAM are able to run the latest version of the Android software.

User arter97 has posted a KitKat 4.4.4 ROM based on the Galaxy S3 LTE build of the software, which was released earlier in the year. Previously it was said that the Galaxy S3 3G version wouldn’t be able to get the latest KitKat update because it was limited by its 1 GB of RAM, which apparently couldn’t support the demands of the new software, according to Samsung.

Thankfully, it seems that the impossible is possible. You will have to be the owner of a rooted Galaxy S3 to flash the ROM, of course, meaning you will void your warranty should it still be in effect. But arter97 has a reputation for creating stable Android builds and so far the general feedback is all positive. Check out the pictures below to see what's in store.

I am using S3 GT-19300T. I have installed "CYANOGENMOD" 4.4.4 rom. But I am it made my mobile useless. It removed my video call feature which was included with my dialer, removed my double screen feature, and also I cant store anything directly to micro sd card.

So I have run into a unique problem. For some reason my Galaxy S3(sgh i747) will not connect to my computer through USB. I've tried a bunch of steps and I'm pretty much at the conclusion that it's the port BUT, my question is, can I root my phone through either SD or some other method to be able to install this ROM? I know this is mainly about the ROM and I do apologize for being somewhat off-topic, but I really want the Lollipop update and it seems that the Galaxy S3 as a whole might not even officially get it

Okay i have to same fone type as u and my problem with it is dat when someone tries to call my fone it doesn't ring the person just hears silence and half my messages dont come through some what i would like to know is if this lollipop version would fix it cause the technician here said its a glitch in the software

So I have a Samsung Galaxy s3 SPH-L710T on Boost Mobile. And it's the Tri band Enhanced 3G/4G LTE Version. So I'm wondering seeing as how that specific model was released May of 2014, is it expected that it may just get Android 5.0 Lollipop? ;-;

I know I should not be asking this question coz its downright dumb and I am a computer programmer too.. But is it safe to shift the S3 to 5.0 ?? I once upgraded my iPhone 3GS and it took the firmware to iPad version screwing the phone up permanently. Someone please do let me know !!

Actually, it is being widely touted that XDA Dev "arter97" has the only method to introduce Galaxy SIII to Andoid 5.0, or the "easiest method", which in both cases are factually not true. It has been stated that the International version of the SIII, the GT-I9300, is the only model which has the ability to run Android 5.0. Also not true. I personally have been using a Cyanogenmod-flavored Android 5.0 Lollipop on a U.S. Sprint CDMA LTE variant of Samsung's Galaxy SIII, model SPH-L710 for almost 3 weeks now. And I didn't even have to flash a new kernel either. A developer Isaiah PEz, nicknamed "Fallingravity" produced a working product almost 3 weeks ago, and has updated twice already. It could be worth noting that it (MAY) also be possible to install this version on other U.S. "unified" SIII LTE models ie. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mo etc. I flashed my CM11 nightly build back to the old stock ROM, and flashed his new Lollipop build (cm-12-20141205-UNOFFICIAL-d2spr.zip) in Philz (CWM) recovery, flashed Google Apps.and it's working well. As to be expected there are a few glitches and by most people, not to be considered a "daily driver".